White is poised to win, but must start out with a check (else, ... Qd5+ will destroy all his opportunities). 1. Qb8+ or 1.Qa3+ will force a win, and I think 1.Ba3+ will force it as well, but only 1.Qb4+ will force it in 3 moves.

Am I not seeing something here, cause I have a major problem with this first move. I understand that this way is the only way to get the mate in 3, but the Black queen can take the White queen at this time, ruining White's chance of winning the game.

Please take a second to look at the position. It's a puzzle, there's a reason why White's queen is poisoned after 1. Qb4+ Puzzle makers have made bad mistakes before, but never anything egregious like just leaving a queen hanging for no reason.

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First, look at the pawn that is about to promote.

Second, look at what redirecting the Black queen off the promote square and the a5-d8 diagonal does.

After that, you shouldn't think Black's queen can take White's anymore.

By offering up the Queen to remove it from defending a key square on the bank rank are we employing the concept of DECOY or DEFLECTION? Anyone know the "proper" answer? I know they are similar. Wondering what the defining difference is between the terms.

By offering up the Queen to remove it from defending a key square on the bank rank are we employing the concept of DECOY or DEFLECTION? Anyone know the "proper" answer? I know they are similar. Wondering what the defining difference is between the terms.

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